Walking into the crowded gym full of screaming voices, students decked out in neon and people dunking during warm-ups you’d probably think you had just walked into the Virginia State semifinals. Until you saw the two teams lined up and realizes that the opposing team’s point guard is your Spanish teacher.
That was the atmosphere during the 2013 Staff vs. Students basketball game.
Each year, the seniors finally get the chance to get back at the teachers for the long PowerPoints, few bathroom breaks and difficult ECarts they’ve had to put up with over the years. Or at least they try.
This year’s game started off in favor of the staff as James Ynson dropped some dimes, Kevin Coggins stuffed shots left and right and the JV girls basketball coach Pui Sham rained threes, just like she did when she was a student here.
The pace of the game slowed down after the initial minutes and the students came back until eventually taking the lead a few minutes before the end of half. From that point to the end of the half it was a back and forth battle between the bitter rivals.
The halftime festivities livened things up a little; featuring a 3-point

and Ynson in which they both wore fat suits just to make things more interesting. In a game of knockout senior Andrew Peal came out on top, knocking out the sophomore Andrew Storr.
After everyone was temporarily caught up in the staff cheerleading squad routine and the introduction of the winter sports, there was still a game to play. The students had lost their momentum again, allowing Coggins and the Staff to extend the lead. The students fought back and made things very exciting in the last few minutes but the staff held on to win the game 70-63.
“[The game] had a great atmosphere and was a lot of fun. It was cool seeing what some of the teachers could do and watching Coggins dunk was my favorite part by far,” said sophomore Jeremiah Pickell.
The Staff vs. Students game has never really been about the outcome, however. Yes, the teachers may have something to brag about for the next couple weeks, but the game was able to successfully bring the students and faculty closer together, which is what really matters. It allows students who have never really played in front of a crowd a chance to do so and gives teachers a chance to show off some of their skills that most of their students never knew they had.
“It was awesome and something everyone should do their senior year,” said senior Chris White.